Issaquah, Wash.-based Costco is one of the world's largest retailers, with 68 million members and 622 warehouses in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Asia.
It posted $1.7 billion in profit last fiscal year, a 17 percent increase from the year before. That's a lot of people buying toilet paper in bulk. less

Issaquah, Wash.-based Costco is one of the world's largest retailers, with 68 million members and 622 warehouses in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Asia. It posted $1.7 billion in profit last fiscal ... more

Photo: Getty Images

Issaquah, Wash.-based Costco is one of the world's largest... Photo-4836683.65248 - seattlepi.com

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Costco raised its yearly membership fee in late 2011 by $5 to $55, its first membership bump in five years. Despite that, Costco enjoyed a deeply loyal following, with nearly 90 percent of customers (in the U.S. and Canada) renewing their membership last year. less

Costco raised its yearly membership fee in late 2011 by $5 to $55, its first membership bump in five years. Despite that, Costco enjoyed a deeply loyal following, with nearly 90 percent of customers (in the ... more

Photo: Joe Raedle , Getty Images

Costco raised its yearly membership fee in late 2011 by $5 to $55,... Photo-4836684.65248 - seattlepi.com

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How does Costco keep costs low? It wields enormous buying power that drives prices down, and it doesn't stock a big selection.
'Our strategy is to provide our members with a broad range of high quality merchandise at prices consistently lower than they can obtain elsewhere,' says Costco's annual 2012 report.
'We seek to limit specific items in each product line to fast-selling models, sizes, and colors.' less

How does Costco keep costs low? It wields enormous buying power that drives prices down, and it doesn't stock a big selection. 'Our strategy is to provide our members with a broad range of high quality ... more

Costco's warehouses aren't pretty or elaborate; they're designed for 'economy and efficiency,' the company says. Merchandise stays on pallets, requiring less stocking labor, and stores are open fewer hours than traditional retailers, further reducing labor costs. less

Costco's warehouses aren't pretty or elaborate; they're designed for 'economy and efficiency,' the company says. Merchandise stays on pallets, requiring less stocking labor, and stores are open fewer hours than ... more

A big appeal of Costco isn't the bulk goods, but what it calls a 'treasure hunt atmosphere.' That's when you get all excited when you find great deals on high-end brands sprinkled throughout mundane paper towel products and ink cartridges. Last year, Costco added Bose, Calphalon and Tommy Bahama to its stock.
(These shoppers, though, don't seem to have that treasure hunt glow. They've got that recognizable weekend Costco slog). less

A big appeal of Costco isn't the bulk goods, but what it calls a 'treasure hunt atmosphere.' That's when you get all excited when you find great deals on high-end brands sprinkled throughout mundane paper towel ... more

Photo: Joe Raedle, Getty Images

A big appeal of Costco isn't the bulk goods, but what it calls... Photo-4836687.65248 - seattlepi.com

Say what you will about Costco's low-budget food court, but they're extremely popular. The company sold 109 million hot-dog-soda combos last year. (For the taste, or the $1.50 price?)

Say what you will about Costco's low-budget food court, but they're extremely popular. The company sold 109 million hot-dog-soda combos last year. (For the taste, or the $1.50 price?)

Photo: Photo Courtesy Costco

Say what you will about Costco's low-budget food court, but... Photo-4836689.65248 - seattlepi.com

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Costco also sold 62 million rotisserie chickens last year.

Costco also sold 62 million rotisserie chickens last year.

Photo: Photo Courtesy Costco

Costco also sold 62 million rotisserie chickens last year. Photo-4836690.65248 - seattlepi.com

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And it sold 4 million of its Kirkland Signature dress shirts.

And it sold 4 million of its Kirkland Signature dress shirts.

Photo: Photo Courtesy Costco

And it sold 4 million of its Kirkland Signature dress shirts . Photo-4836691.65248 - seattlepi.com

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Speaking of Kirkland Signature, most shoppers are already familiar with Costco's in-house brand. But the company introduced a bunch of new KS stuff last year, including chocolate chips, organic canned tomatoes, coffee and new wines.
(Yes, that's Larry Hagman, pulling a prank for the show 'I Get That a Lot,' before he died in November). less

Speaking of Kirkland Signature, most shoppers are already familiar with Costco's in-house brand. But the company introduced a bunch of new KS stuff last year, including chocolate chips, organic canned tomatoes, ... more

Costco is a big player in the wine industry, selling $1.4 billion a year in wine, which includes global labels and the company's own brand.

Costco is a big player in the wine industry, selling $1.4 billion a year in wine, which includes global labels and the company's own brand.

Photo: GABRIEL BOUYS, AFP/Getty Images

Costco is a big player in the wine industry, selling $1.4 billion... Photo-4836693.65248 - seattlepi.com

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In June of 2012, Costco stores in Washington began selling liquor, after voters approved a measure to privatize liquor sales. Costco backed the initiative with a record-setting $22 million.
But if you want to know how well its liquor sales are doing, you're out of luck. The company doesn't disclose figures on booze. less

In June of 2012, Costco stores in Washington began selling liquor, after voters approved a measure to privatize liquor sales. Costco backed the initiative with a record-setting $22 million. But if you want ... more

Photo: Photo Courtesy Costco

In June of 2012, Costco stores in Washington began selling liquor... Photo-4836694.65248 - seattlepi.com

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If you think the Seattle Costco on Fourth Avenue South is a zoo on Saturdays, at least it doesn't look like this crowd at the Costco in Zama, Japan. The warehouse was one of 17 opened in fiscal 2012.

If you think the Seattle Costco on Fourth Avenue South is a zoo on Saturdays, at least it doesn't look like this crowd at the Costco in Zama, Japan. The warehouse was one of 17 opened in fiscal 2012.

Photo: Photo Courtesy Costco

If you think the Seattle Costco on Fourth Avenue South is a zoo on... Photo-4836695.65248 - seattlepi.com

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Vice President Joe Biden created some buzz last November when he visited Costco's grand opening in Washington, D.C., where he scanned the pie aisle. Those pies and other baked goods were worth $1.3 billion in sales for Costco. less

Vice President Joe Biden created some buzz last November when he visited Costco's grand opening in Washington, D.C., where he scanned the pie aisle. Those pies and other baked goods were worth $1.3 billion in ... more

Photo: SAUL LOEB, AFP/Getty Images

Vice President Joe Biden created some buzz last November when he... Photo-4836696.65248 - seattlepi.com

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Luxury items like jewelry and watches have been big-ticket items for a while. Last year, someone bought a 5-ct. diamond ring at the Portland, Ore. Costco for $104,900.

Luxury items like jewelry and watches have been big-ticket items for a while. Last year, someone bought a 5-ct. diamond ring at the Portland, Ore. Costco for $104,900.

Photo: Scott Olson, Getty Images

Luxury items like jewelry and watches have been big-ticket items... Photo-4836697.65248 - seattlepi.com

CNBC reported that Costco never marks up products by more than 15 percent, which probably helped Costco's $2 billion sales in TVs.

CNBC reported that Costco never marks up products by more than 15 percent, which probably helped Costco's $2 billion sales in TVs.

Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

CNBC reported that Costco never marks up products by more than 15... Photo-4836699.65248 - seattlepi.com

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What else are big sellers at Costco? Meat and more meat. Costco sold $5.1 billion in meat in fiscal 2012.

What else are big sellers at Costco? Meat and more meat. Costco sold $5.1 billion in meat in fiscal 2012.

Photo: Tim Boyle, Getty Images

What else are big sellers at Costco? Meat and more meat. Costco... Photo-4836700.65248 - seattlepi.com

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Costco gas was also hot. Sales were up nearly 20 percent in fiscal 2012, to more than $10 billion. That
was nearly 3 billion gallons of gas.

Costco gas was also hot. Sales were up nearly 20 percent in fiscal 2012, to more than $10 billion. That
was nearly 3 billion gallons of gas.

Photo: Chris Hondros, Getty Images

Costco gas was also hot. Sales were up nearly 20 percent in fiscal... Photo-4836701.65248 - seattlepi.com

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Shopping in bulk with monster carts take a long time, especially when Costco purposely doesn't label its aisles. That - along with no shopping bags, advertising and credit-card machines, helps keeps costs low.

Shopping in bulk with monster carts take a long time, especially when Costco purposely doesn't label its aisles. That - along with no shopping bags, advertising and credit-card machines, helps keeps costs low.

Photo: Tim Boyle, Getty Images

Shopping in bulk with monster carts take a long time, especially... Photo-4836702.65248 - seattlepi.com

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It's a good thing produce is always in the same spot in Costco warehouses; they totaled $4.4 billion in sales last fiscal year.

It's a good thing produce is always in the same spot in Costco warehouses; they totaled $4.4 billion in sales last fiscal year.

Photo: Photo Courtesy Costco

It's a good thing produce is always in the same spot in Costco... Photo-4836703.65248 - seattlepi.com